Latest Updates: Machakos

Showing posts with label Machakos. Show all posts

Thursday, July 28, 2022

Machakos gubernatorial candidate Francis Maliti drops bid, backs Wavinya

Eric July 28, 2022 0

Maendeleo Chap Chap Machakos gubernatorial candidate Francis Maliti has withdrawn from the race and instead endorsed Wiper Party’s Wavinya Ndeti.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and a host of party official received Maliti at Kalonzo Musyoka Command center.

While defending his move, Maliti said his actions is meant to defeat conspiracy by enemies of the people of Machakos intending to subvert the will of the people.

“I have decided to walk with my sister Wavinya and I am sure she is the best leader for Machakos. I want to assure her of my support and that of my supporters,” said Maliti.

He further exuded confidence that the people of Machakos are in safe hands in the leadership of Ms Ndeti.

Maliti moves comes days after his running mate Rose Wambua ditched him for former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita who is also eying the seat.

Also seeking to succeed Governor Alfred Mutua who is serving his second and last term is UDA Chairman and former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama.

Wavinya Ndeti: No need for Waita to drop bid, I'll defeat him

Machakos

Eric July 03, 2022 0

Machakos gubernatorial candidate Wavinya Ndeti has downplayed former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita’s probabilities in the county top seat.

Speaking while receiving defectors from Mr Waita's Chama Cha Uzalendo(CCU) in Athi River , Ms.Ndeti said she will not be intimidated .

“Do not remove him from the race, leave him there, I will deal with him early in the morning on that day… I do not fear him, ”said Ms Ndeti.

Ms Ndeti's declaration comes amid allegations that Waita has been intimidating Wiper Party contestants in the race.

Both Wiper and CCU are under the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party, which has seen sibling rivalry in the battle for the governor seat with claims of a planned zoning sparking more division.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka had in the past Azimio rally in Machakos , called on Mr Waita to drop his bid and back Wavinya, an appeal that Waita vehemently declined to abide by and instead asked Mr Musyoka to leave Machakos politics and let the voters make their decision.

"Kalonzo is neither a voter or a candidate in Machakos County, he has no business telling the people of Machakos who should vote, who should stand and who should not," Nzioka told Citizen Digital on June 13.

Other candidates facing off with Ms Ndeti and Mr Waita include Deputy Governor Francis Maliti of the Maendeleo Chap Chap party, and former Senator Johnson Muthama of UDA.

Muthama unveils his running mate in Machakos gubernatorial race

Machakos

Eric April 11, 2022 0

Speaking at Kitulu day Secondary School where he had gone to offer condolences to the family of the former Machakos constituency MP Onesmus Kimuyu, Muthama unveiled Professor Muli who is also the Machakos Medical and Technical Training College Director (MTTC), stating that he picked her because of she is knowledgeable and humble and she can interact with the people of Machakos.

“I was looking for someone with brains and humbleness who can talk, listen and interact with the elderly women because I want to serve the Machakos people in the most effective way,” said Muthama.

“Faith fits the position well, she is very understanding with no social class and therefore can interact with every person regardless of their position in the society, I did not want to choose someone who will be speaking English to you on top of trees rather than who you can easily reach and interact with,” Muthama stated.

Prof Faith Muli

So far Muthama becomes the second Governor aspirant to unveil his running mate.

Former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita who is seeking the seat under Chama Cha Uzalendo(CCU) named Machakos County Assembly Speaker Florence Mwangangi as his running mate.

Other leaders who are eyeing the seat include former CAS Transport Wavinya Ndeti, Mavoko MP Patrick Makau and Machakos Deputy Governor Eng Francis Maliti.

Waita picks Speaker Mwangangi as running mate in Machakos governor race

Machakos

Eric March 24, 2022 0

Former State House Chief of Staff Nzioka Waita has picked Machakos County Speaker Florence Mwangangi as his running mate in the August 9th race for the county’s gubernatorial seat.

Speaking on Thursday in at a Machakos hotel after a consultative meeting with a section of leaders Waita maintained that he is firmly in the race contrary to reports that he was dropping his bid.

“We are not pulling out. By August 10, the only person who will be named governor-elect, waiting to be crowned, is Nzioka Waita,” he stated

Waita who doubles up as Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) party leader dismissed claims that he was quitting the race in turn to contest for a the position of Deputy Governor in Nairobi, affirming that he cannot abandon the state of his home county to go for a seat in the city.

“I have gone to corners of this country where roads have not reached, schools are incomplete, the hospitals have no medicine, and they tell me to go to Nairobi? To do what and my people are suffering?” posed Waita

While unveiling his running mate, Waita described Ms Mwangangi, popularly known as "Suluhu", as a tried and tested consummate professional with a deep understanding and awareness of the political landscape in Ukambani.

Mwangangi, who had earlier declared interest in succeeding Governor Alfred Mutua who is serving his second and final term said that she had opted to shelve her gubernatorial aspirations and support Waita for the sake of the people.

“l have decided to deputize my young learned brother in the forthcoming gubernatorial race without coercion whatsoever,” said the county speaker.

“As a conscientious and seasoned politician, I take note of the complementary value that our joint candidature with Mr Waita presents. For this reason and after extensive consultations with my family, supporters, my think tank, we have agreed to join forces and deliver the Governor's seat back to the people of Machakos," Mrs Mwangangi added.

The duo will be facing off with Mavoko MP Patrick Makau, former Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti, Deputy Governor Francis Maliti, and former Senator Johnson Muthama who all have launched their bids for the county top seat.

Nzioka Waita refutes claims of quitting Machakos gubernatorial race

Machakos

Eric March 20, 2022 0

Former State House Chief of Staff and Chama Cha Uzalendo (CCU) party leader Nzioka Waita has dismissed claims that he is quitting the Machakos governor race .

Reacting to claims that he is headed for Nairobi Deputy Governor's position, Waita termed such assertions as propaganda aimed at derailing his bid to succeed Governor Alfred Mutua who is serving his second and final term.

" I want to assure you that we are focussed, we are ready and we will take this seat to change the lives of our people," Waita said.

Waita is blaming his competitors of propagating smear campaign but maintaining that he is firmly in the race.

Reports of Waita shelving his quest and purportedly teaming up with former Jubilee Secretary General and Cabinet Secretary Raphael Tuju as his deputy in Nairobi surfaced in the media circles a day after the signing of the Azimio-One Kenya Alliance pact.

131 Ethiopians arrested for being in the country illegally

Machakos

Eric October 30, 2021 0

131 Ethiopian nationals were arrested at Athi River in Machakos County for being in the country illegally.

According to Athi River Subcounty police commander Anderson Njagi, police officers flashed the foreigners out from a rented house at Sabaki estate within Athi River town suburbs where they found them hiding.

Officers from Kenya National Police Service from Athi River Sub County and Transnational Crime detectives from the DCI headquarters conducted the operatios on Friday.

Njagi told a local publication, “The intelligence-led operations involving Transnational Crime detectives from the DCI headquarters and ourselves led to the arrest of 131 Ethiopians hidden at residential premises within Sabaki estate.”

The police boss said those arrested were men without any identification documentation and legal documents permitting them to be in the country.

During the operations, a white car, a Toyota Land Cruiser was recovered from the premises.

The suspects are in police custody at Athi River, Kyumbi and Machakos police stations awaiting to be arraigned in court on Monday.

Reportedly, the suspects were living together, sharing rooms under poor conditions.

“They slept on mattresses spread on the floor with utensils scattered all over. The men cooked alone under unhygienic conditions exposing themselves to lots of health risks,” an anonymous source said.

It is believed that the suspects were conduits of human trafficking.

The police boss said, “We are investigating to see if we can get to the person behind the suspects’ being in the country. We suspect it’s a conduit of human trafficking.”

Explosion at Boniface Mwangi's family home confirmed by police

Machakos

Eric October 21, 2021 0

Police have confirmed that armed attackers raided a house belonging to activist Boniface Mwangi and staged an explosion after assaulting workers.

The National Police Service issued a statement on Thursday saying the assailants ambushed the workers, robbed them and bombed the building.

The bombed house was still under construction at Kinanie Location in Lukenya, Machakos County.

The police statement read, “Three unknown men in a white pickup allegedly armed with pistols accosted the site workers, robbed them off personal effects and assaulted the building still under construction with detonators causing three holes.”

The manhunt for suspects and investigations into incident are underway.

Police have also urged members of the public who have any information regarding the incident to report.

Boniface Mwangi took to social media on Thursday morning to express his frustration towards the government and about the incident

He stated, “I’m not a criminal. I don’t do deals. I have never compromised my values. The State has blown up the house my family was building. The bullets, the explosives they used are on the scene. So, what kind of a country are we living in?”

Police hold prayers to cleanse station following the tragic deaths of 2 colleagues

Machakos

Eric September 29, 2021 0

Police officers at the Kyumbi police station in Athi River held prayers to cleanse the station following the tragic deaths of their two colleagues who died in road accidents on Mombasa Road.

The officers were joined by Several pastors, community leaders, and members of the public at the station on Tuesday afternoon.

According to Kyumbi Pastors Association chairman Reverend Daniel Muthoka, prayers for the officers will continue to ensure no more deaths occur at the station.

Francis Wambua Kavyu urged the Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) to erect bumps next to Chumbi shopping centre which will slow down speeding vehicles.

Until their demise, Corporal Purity Kungu and Corporal Loise Chepchumba were both attached to Kyumbi police post.

Athi River sub-county police commander Anderson Njagi noted that in less than a week Kyumbi police station had lost two police officers to road accidents. Both officers hail from Nakuru County.

On September 22 at night, Corporal Kungu was critically injured after she was knocked down by a vehicle while crossing the busy Nairobi – Mombasa highway at Kyumbi Area, Njagi said.

Unfortunately, Kungu died the next day at Machakos Level 5 Hospital.

On the other hand, Corporal Chepchumba died on the spot after she was knocked down while responding to an accident scene on the same road in the same area on Sunday at around midnight

Chinese national murdered, 2 critically injured in suspected robbery in Athi River

Machakos

Eric September 18, 2021 0

A Chinese national was killed on Friday while two others were critically injured following a gang raid into a warehouse in Athi River.

Machakos Criminal Investigations Officer Charles Mutua said that the victims were a woman and a man.The deceased was identified as Jia Yuan.

The incident happened at a godown in Athi River’s Greyland Estate at around 3pm, Mutua said.

Yuan, who had been rushed to Shalom Community Hospital in Athi River for treatment, succumbed to deep cuts sustained during the incident.

The other two victims were still receiving treatment at the hospital.

According to a police report, 47-year-old Jia Yuwei had a deep cut on her head and a swollen right chick while 37-year-old Jia Zheng Ming had deep cuts on the head.

“In that warehouse, there were three Chinese nationals who reside there. The thugs were able to gain entry by breaking glasses. Upon entry a scuffle ensued that led to serious injuries to the three Chinese nationals. Police were informed in good time, they rushed to the scene and found that the thugs had already escaped but the injured Chinese nationals were still at there,” Mutua stated.

Speaking in the company of Athi River Deputy County Commissioner Charles Wambugu and area Sub County Police Commander Anderson Njagi at the scene, Mutua said no suspect had been arrested in connection to the incident by press time.

However, the officer said that investigations into the matter had been launched with special teams of homicide and cybercrime units deployed to the scene to gather evidence

Suspect behind murder of 4 men in Kitengela to stay longer in custody

Machakos

Eric September 10, 2021 0

Benson Melonyie Mungai,the suspect behind the killing of four men in Kitengela will remain in police custody longer, pending his mental assessment.

The accused was presented at the High Court in Machakos but he did not plea and Justice David Kimei directed him to undergo the mental examination before his appearance in court next week on Thursday, September 16.

Kimei also directed that the suspect be detained at Kitengela police station meanwhile.

Mungai will take plea at the Kajiado High Court.

Allegedly, the suspect orchestrated the attack that led to the brutal murder of Fred Mureithi, 30, his younger brother Victor Mwangi who was celebrating his 25th birthday, Mike George, 29, and Nicholas Musa, 28.

The four men mistaken for cattle thieves and were consequently lynched by angry villagers on Sunday, August 8, 2021.

Transport paralysed in Machakos as operators protest

Machakos

Eric July 21, 2021 0

Transport to and from Machakos was on Wednesday paralyzed after Matatu Owners Association withdrew their vehicles from the roads.

The association chairman Onesmus Kyalo said they arrived at the decision after due to the invasion of their routes by matatus from Nairobi and Kiambu counties.

"We are protesting a move by the county government to allow matatus which are supposed to operate in Nairobi routes to ply routes in Machakos," Mr. Kyalo said.

Mr. Kyalo accused the county government of Machakos of granting the operators from Nairobi and Kiambu a letter of no objection thus paving way for the clearance of the said operators by the National Transport and Safety Authority( NTSA) to operate in the county.

" The problem emanates from within the county government which has given the matatus letter on no objection without consulting the relevant stakeholders.This is how NTSA allowed the matatus to ply routes in Machakos county." He added.

Close to 300 Public Service Vehicles (PSV) participated in the strike that affected travellers from Kajiado, Kitui, Makueni and Nairobi counties.

Two police officers accused of murder remanded for 19 days

Machakos

Eric June 04, 2021 0

Two police officers suspected to have killed a suspect in custody have been remanded for 19 days at the Machakos GK Prison as they await to take a plea.

Erick Odhiambo and Conelius Ndambuki appeared before Machakos High Court Chief Magistrate Nelly Kenei who delivered the ruling.

In order to determine the suspects' suitability to stand trial, the court ordered that they be taken for a psychiatric test at the Machakos Level 5 Hospital.

Allegedly, on March 9, 2021, Odhiambo and Ndambuki who are attached to the KBC Police Station in Matungulu, murdered Mark Lumbasi Natala who was in custody at the same station.

Machakos CCIO delved into investigations on the matter and forwarded the file to the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) in Machakos after completion.

The ODPP then advised that the two officers be charged with the offence of murder.

93-year-old woman finally buried after staying in mortuary for 17 years

Machakos

Eric April 26, 2021 0

The body of a 93-year-old woman finally has been finally buried by the family in Mbuani village, Machakos County after it stayed in a mortuary for 17 years.

Esther Nzakwa Kitivo died on August 31, 2004 at the age of 93 years but the burial could not be conducted because of a protracted land tussle.

Since her death, Nzakwa’s remains have been lying at Machakos funeral home but they buried on Saturday at her son Michael Musau Kitivo's home while the ongoing land case is yet to be determined.

There was police security during burial ceremony, which took about an hour.

According to her son Kitivo, Nzakwa was a disciplinarian who made sure her children went through formal education.

Kitivo added that the family has been hugely relieved by the interment as they have mourned for almost two decades.

Mortuary charges increased to over Ksh.3 million for the time the body was in the mortuary and the family resorted to calling on well wishers to assist in offsetting the bill.

The land dispute that delayed the interment has been discussed at length in the courts, however, the late Nzakwa has still not been declared the owner of the home.

Justice Beatrice Thuranira Jaden on March 28, 2014 ruled that the body should not be buried at Nzakwa’s matrimonial home, pointing out that

the court could not rely on traditional customs as testimony to decide on the interment of Nzakwa’s body.

In 2004, one of Nzakwa’s step-sons claimed to have consent from the Land Control Board thereby hindering the attempt to bury her body.

According to the consent, the home belonged to the step-son and he obtained a permanent injunction from a magistrate in Machakos.

However, the family was adamant about Nzakwa’s body being buried at her home.

She was the first of three wives of Gideon Kitivo Ndambuki, who died on December 13, 2000 aged 100.

Kamba customs dictate that the first wife should be buried adjacent to her husband at their matrimonial home.

School principal arrested for posting KCSE exam paper on WhatsApp

Machakos

Eric April 06, 2021 0

Police in Machakos on Tuesday arrested Betta Mutuku, the Principal of ABC Kiseveni Secondary School over suspected exam irregularities.

Ms Mutuku was apprehended hours before the exam began and was taken to Machakos Police Station.

According to a source privy to the case, the principal had posted a KCSE mathematics paper on her WhatsApp status on Monday evening before actual test on Tuesday

Wiper's Agnes Kavindu declared winner in Machakos Senatorial by-election

Machakos

Eric March 19, 2021 0

Wiper Party's Agnes Kavindu Muthama has won the Machakos County senatorial by-election.

After garnering 104,352 votes against her closest rival Urbanus Ngengele of UDA who got 19,726, Kavindu was declared the winner by IEBC’s Machakos Returning Officer Joyce Wamalwa on Friday afternoon.

Kavindu expressed her gratitude to those who voted for her and she promised to continue representing the people of Machakos at the Senate.

The death of Boniface Kabaka on December 11, last year rendered the senatorial seat vacant and the call for a by-election attracted 11 aspirants including three independent candidates.

“Thank you Mr President and Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, you really supported us during the campaigns and we the Akamba people promise to return our hand…BBI tutapitisha (We will pass the BBI Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2020)” former Machakos Wiper Party gubernatorial aspirant Wavinya Ndeti said.

Machakos County Commissioner Fred Ndunga also thanked residents and candidates for the peaceful voting exercise.

DCI officers arrest a man linked to rape case in Machakos

Machakos

Eric March 13, 2021 0

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers have arrested Richard Nyonga Kufwa in connection with a rape case reported by a school teacher in Machakos County.

Police reports indicate that the suspect was hired to transport the 24-year-old teacher on various errands until late evening.

However, the suspect took a detour at the Misuuni feeder road and pulled the victim to the roadside where he committed the heinous act, the police report stated.

Although some residents heard the lady’s distress calls while heading to their homes, the suspect managed to flee.

DCI officers launched a night-time manhunt for Nyonga after they were alerted regarding the matter. They finally caught him at his hiding place on Friday in the afternoon.

The suspect will be arraigned in court on Monday.

Mavoko Law Courts closed for 10 days after staffers tested positive for Covid-19

Machakos

Eric March 13, 2021 0

Seven employees from the Mavoko Law Courts tested positive for Covid-19, forcing the courts to close for ten days as employees quarantine to prevent further coronavirus transmissions.

Prior to the findings, the Mavoko Sub-County Infectious Disease Team of the Sub-County Department of Health and Emergency Services conducted a mass testing exercise on 24 staff members and three judicial officers at the Mavoko Law Courts.

Reportedly, one employee who tested positive during the exercise succumbed to the virus while receiving treatment.

During the period of closure, all urgent cases for Mavoko Law Courts shall be referred to the Machakos Law Courts.

Acting Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu also issued a statement saying that the judiciary is currently monitoring the situation at the Kilimani Law Courts where 3 out of 16 staffers tested positive for Covid-19 and are currently in quarantine.

Hyena dies after supposedly consuming human flesh

Machakos

Eric February 27, 2021 0

A hyena found dead near a deceased person in Machakos County is believed to have died after consuming flesh of the dead person.

According to police, the middle-aged man might have committed suicide as two weeks ago he warned his family that he would do so.

In a statement, the police said, “The deceased had, two weeks ago, warned his family that he would commit suicide on Lukenya Hills. He told his kinsmen that should he go missing for days, then they should go look for his body on Lukenya Hills.”

According to preliminary investigations, the deceased consumed poison, police said.

The statement added, “Today morning (Friday, February 26), we found two human bones at Luvai area on Lukenya Hills. Next to the bones, were tattered and bloody clothes, which we believe belong to the deceased. A few meters away, lay the body of hyena, whom we suspect feasted on the deceased’s remains, and because the man had taken poison, the dangerous substance killed the animal as well.”

The deceased's remains were taken to Shalom Hospital morgue in Athi River.

Man accused of mudering city lawyer pleads ' not guilty'

Machakos

Eric February 10, 2021 0

Christian Kadima, accused of killing a lawyer Elizabeth Koki, pleaded not guilty on Tuesday before Judge David Kimei at the Machakos High Court.

The prosecution said that Kadima was fit to stand trial as was confirmed by the results from the mental test he underwent.

Advocate Kwisero Langalanga led the defense team which was granted seven days to file a formal application for bond or bail.

The case is scheduled to be mentioned on March 2, 2021.

Several advocates led by Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi and Vice President Caroline Kamende represented the deceased in court.

Koki, who was murdered on the night of January 7, 2021 at her home in Syokimau, Athi River.

She was a practicing lawyer and co-owner of Githinji and Koki Advocates.

Reportedly, a domestic worker discovered the lawyer’s body inside her bedroom a day after Kadima was spotted leaving her house.

Kavindu pleads for votes,says she is jobless with no husband

Machakos

Eric February 01, 2021 0

Machakos senatorial candidate Agnes Kavindu has pleaded with the people of Machakos County to elect her since she is jobless and has no husband.

Kavindu revealed to the locals details of her private life, adding that the Senate seat will make her life better.

She said, “Mimi ninawauliza nyinyi watu wa Machakos, mnapenda wamama? Si mnipatie kazi tu nijifanyie kazi, kwa maana mimi sasa sina bwana, sina lolote, sina kazi, si mniajiri kazi tu?” (I ask you the people of Machakos, do you like women? Elect me so that I get a job because I have no husband. I have nothing, I have no job. Can you hire me?)

She was speaking at her campaign in Mlolongo where Mavoko MP Patrick Makau accompanied her on Saturday leading the Wiper brigade.

Matungulu MP Stephen Mule, Machakos Woman Representative Joyce Kamene, former Kibwezi MP Kalembe Ndile and Transport CAS Wavinya Ndeti were present.

According to the politicians, Kavindu is the best candidate for the seat since she has proven to be a leader.

Wavinya urged voters to support Kavindu’s candidature and empower her.

“My husband died. After he died, you also expected me to die? I had to ask for a political seat and move on. Kavindu was abandoned by the husband, you wanted her to die?” Wavinya posed.

Wavinya added that Kavindu has children and a life to live so she should be allowed to progress.

Mule emphasized the importance of the Machakos senatorial by-election, highliting it as a projection on 2022 General Election.

“Kavindu’s votes are a no joke. We must vote her in full force to ensure she wins,” the MP asserted.

Kavindu pleaded with the locals to consider her in the polls so that they help her address her problems.

The former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama’s ex-wife expressed her confidence in her ability to serve the residents as their next senator.

“If you give me this job, you will know that women have power,” Kavindu affirmed.

She recalled how the people of Machakos overwhelmingly voted for her when she contested for Woman Representative seat on a Jubilee party ticket in 2017.

According to her, President Uhuru Kenyatta was happy such that he gave her two government appointments.

Kavindu also vowed to protect public resources if elected senator.

“I know that I am cable for this seat and if I win the contest, I will protect your resources well. Everything will be done as it should be in Machakos county,” she declared.

Senator Boniface Kabaka’s death rendered the seat vacant as the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) declared so officially.

UDA’s Urbanus Ngengele and John Katuku of Governor Alfred Mutua’s Maendeleo Chap Chap party are among the eleven aspirants that have been cleared to participate in the Machakos senatorial by-election.